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Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence Through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons

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Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence Through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE) ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-8 Issue-12, October 2019 Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons. S Ambadi Narayanan, Beena S Nair immortality, further helping them to answer many of the Abstract: The technological competence of a nation is confirmed man‘s deepest doubts and fears. Artificial Intelligence plays by the number of successful space expeditions. Science Fiction an important role in the cultural, psychological and from the early 1900s has dealt with the idea of living in conceptual sociological evolution of human beings. On the other hand, spaces. This paper deals with select works of Dan Simmons including four prize-winning Science Fiction novels which are Simmons also takes us to the unpredictable dualisms within usually referred to as the Hyperion (1989), The Fall of Hyperion the man-machine interface, as it might also lead men into a (1989), Endymion (1996), The Rise of Endymion (1989). In complete estrangement in the cosmos. The Hyperion Cantos modern Techno-Fiction, the mind of the man and the scientific offers a sophisticated vision of the future ahead (29th century) innovation of the machine have been harmoniously brought into comprehending all dimensions of humanely possible existence as Cyborgs through Artificial Intelligence. The life advancements. Speculating on the possible human future, Dan expectancy and the available technical manifestations would seem scarce to get into a feasible interface of enhanced human beings Simmons‘s four novels Hyperion (1989), The Fall of and mechanical efficiency to accelerate the voyage into an Hyperion (1989), Endymion (1996), The Rise of the anticipated future. This study further examines the ways in which Endymion (1989) portray the interconnectedness of man and the incredible complexity of the Cybernetic self has been portrayed his possible evolutions in space. The proposed article in the works of Simmons. The principle aim of this proposed investigates the human intervention and the role of Artificial paper is to understand the context of the technological forces unbridled in the man-machine interface and how it has been Intelligence in self-consciously enhanced and accelerated constitutive of bringing up a new social order. It further analyses evolution. Artificial Intelligence also contributes in how symbolic, social spaces can be experienced adversely by intensifying the natural pace of evolution with the help of multiple Man-Machine synthesis - mutant beings and clones machines and cyborgs. during the planetary invasions. It is unnatural of a Cyborg to The study focusses on societies positioned in the interstices of think politically or materialistically, as the functioning would be conflicting discourses of power, where the birth of a new predominantly based on the commands received from its Artificial Intelligence led consciousness. Moreover, Cybernetics would be order takes place in the wake of man-made crisis in its an exploration into the formidable secrets, the realm of decrypting multiple manifestations. The aim of the proposed article is to ciphers and interpreting codes and cryptograms. Furthermore, examine the ways in which Dan Simmons has tried to create a embracing the possibilities without a foresight into the new social order in The Hyperion Cantos (1989-1996). It Man-Machine synthesis, might lead the whole humanity into a would further examine the extent to which Simmons express catastrophe depicted by Simmons. technological trends and aspirations of the post-modern Keywords: Techno-Fiction, Science Fiction, Cyborg, Cybernetics, culture in Simmons works. The prominent thematic concerns Man-Machine Synthesis. found in the works are the quest for truth, an evolving dystopia, encounter with mutant beings, the unwavering faith I. INTRODUCTION in the Utopian ideal, the conflict between the Good and the The American author Dan Simmons (1948- ) is a prolific Evil and the emergence of new and innovative models of writer who has published in different genres as science fiction, evolution. horror and fantasy. Dan Simmons unleashes a literary These novels powerfully encompass the predicament of panorama of Artificial Intelligence. He redefines various humanity undergoing intense ordeals with reference to possibilities of a technologically enhanced future. The perceptible events like war, rebellion and building alternate characters envisage a holistic future consciousness with the neo-world models. The selected works deal with universal help of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence enhances themes and humanist concerns like dystopian reality and the biological processes and leads men to a state of conflict with hegemony. The author is also concerned about how people try to manipulate memories and justify their past actions as they repress information in order to create multiple Revised Manuscript Received on October 05, 2019. S Ambadi Narayanan , Research Scholar, Department of English, Amrita identities with technical nuances. School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Simmons‘ Science Fiction is not merely about space wars, Campus, Kollam, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] robots, mutants and aliens. It is about world building and Dr. Beena S Nair Assistant Professor (Sr. Grade), Department of English, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences , Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, social orientation. Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, Kerala, India. Published By: Retrieval Number: L30621081219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.L3062.1081219 3218 & Sciences Publication Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons. Even the robots depicted by Simmons are furtive machinists, This paper would explore the struggle for Man‘s continuous working for the good of mankind. The Hyperion Cantos search for evolution as depicted in Simmons‘ novels through which begins as a prediction of ruin and a depiction of the the time travel of the Poet, the Politician, the Soldier, the deranged times ends with revival of hope in the platonic ideal Priest, the Scholar, the Detective and the Consul creating of collective good and evolution. The utopian desires and multiple ideal habitats in space. The proposed research also dystopian nightmares of humankind find eloquent expression investigates the self-consciously enhanced and accelerated in popular culture in narratives that focus on future life, nation evolution with human intervention. Man attains a holistic and empire building, technological innovations and social future consciousness, which in the opinion of Tom Lombardo organization. These works depict man as a social being man is the ―total set of psychological processes and modes of experience and behavior involved in our consciousness of the who has to overcome his dormant fears and believe in the future.‖ It includes our hopes and fears about the future; our possibilities of a better future to take forward his culture and planning, strategies, and goals; our futuristic visions and civilization. stories; and our purposeful behaviors to create desired futures and prevent negative possibilities from occurring. II. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY Human dream of Immortality and Ideal state The proposed methodology is based on various postmodern Man attains immortality in Hyperion. Father Lenar Hoyt after theories focusing on concepts such as Posthumanism, reaching Hyperion, in an encounter with a tribe named Bikura Post-anthropocentrism, and Anthropology. A close reading of attains immortality through indigenous practices. A unique the selected novels and excerpts of the text that will help in parasite triggers a terrible cell multiplication so as to bring analyzing the texts was carried out. A general exploration of back dead men. ―…even the terrible illogic of this accursed sci-fi novels was undertaken in this research. bacteria must respect the imperative of the law of conservation of mass.‖ (Simmons, 86) Immortal life has III. THE HYPERION CANTOS AND induced painlessness, mindlessness and an indifference ARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE towards basic human instincts. Nature and Biology do not work that neatly. Besides the Hyperion Cantos offer multiple possibilities for rethinking problem of minimum herd population there were other the human with its non-human others (machines, objects, absurdities. Even though it is difficult to tell the ages of these systems and environments) in the Posthuman era and further smooth-skinned people, it is obvious that no more than ten leading to investigate the man‘s predicament in the years separate the oldest from the youngest…so where are the Postmodern era. The study is also an attempt to analyze very old? Where are the parents, ageing uncles, and Cyborg as a posthuman subject representing the unmarried aunts? At this rate, the entire tribe will enter old contemporary cultural trends. The book also explores some of age at approximately the same time[1].(Simmons, 60) the concepts underlying an understanding of human beings as Hoyt caught in this uninterrupted and undisturbed cycle of life culture bearers and further discusses the issues of cultural attempts suicide several times and every attempt brings him anthropology: the nature of culture, the structure of society, back to life. Men are led into a dissociative regulatory and the functions of ideological systems. condition
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